A diminutive suffix is a small-language tool: a short ending added to a base word to signal small size, affection, familiarity, or a reduced sense of intensity. Key points

• Purpose: Conveys smallness, endearment, or a diminutive nuance, or occasionally a pejorative or affectionate shade depending on language and context.

• Common forms in English: suffixes such as -let (as in booklet), -ling (duckling), -kin (napkin in some dialects), and -y/-ey (doggy, kitty) are widely recognized diminutives.

• Variants across languages: Many languages use dedicated diminutive prefixes or suffixes (e.g., mini-, -let, -ette, -kin, -ling) to create smaller or more endearing forms of nouns or adjectives.

• Nuances: Diminutives can imply physical smallness, tenderness, or familiarity; they can also carry belittling or pejorative shades in some contexts.

• Examples illustrating meaning:
  • booklet = a small book (suffix -let)

* doggy = a loved or familiar form of a dog (suffix -y)

* kitchenette = a small kitchen (prefix mini- and suffix -ette; illustrates multiple diminutive strategies)

If you’d like, I can tailor this to a specific language (for example English, Spanish, or Japanese) and list the most common diminutive suffixes or forms used there.